General · 21 July 2026
Arctic winter sea ice suffers its biggest yearly drop on record
Photo by Tapio Haaja on Unsplash
Scientists found Arctic winter sea ice shrank by 5.8% between 2024 and 2025, ending what they now say was only a temporary slowdown. Researchers from the University of Southampton said natural ocean currents briefly masked the long-term decline before recent satellite data showed record losses. They warned reduced winter ice can change weather patterns because more heat and moisture escape from the Arctic Ocean.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs